Introduction:
Criminal profiling has long been a cornerstone of investigative psychology, yet its effectiveness is often debated, particularly in contexts with limited public awareness. Understanding how communities perceive profiling can illuminate gaps between law enforcement practices and societal expectations. This study explores urban Indian college students’ understanding and perception of criminal profiling, aiming to identify knowledge levels, perceived effectiveness, and potential societal biases.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 120 college students aged 18–24 in Coimbatore, India. A structured questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge of criminal profiling, trust in its application by law enforcement, perceived fairness, and ethical concerns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic coding for open-ended responses.

Results:
Findings reveal that 62% of respondents were moderately aware of criminal profiling, primarily through media exposure rather than formal education. While 74% expressed trust in police using profiling responsibly, 53% voiced concerns about ethical misuse and potential bias against marginalized groups. Notably, students with prior criminology coursework demonstrated significantly higher awareness and critical understanding compared to others. Qualitative insights indicated a desire for greater transparency and public education on profiling methods.

Conclusion:
This study highlights a critical gap between public understanding and law enforcement practices in criminal profiling. Enhancing awareness through educational initiatives could improve societal trust and the perceived legitimacy of profiling in criminal investigations. The findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological insights with policing strategies to foster community-informed, ethical investigative practices.